Squirrel Meaning and Definition
Squirrel
Pronunciation
/ˈskwɪrəl/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A small to medium-sized rodent mammal with a bushy tail, known for storing and retrieving nuts and seeds from trees, and often considered a pest in gardens and homes.
Etymology
The word “Squirrel” comes from the Old French “esquille”, which is derived from the Latin “sciurus”, meaning “tail-backed”.
Usage Notes
Squirrel can be used as a noun to refer to the animal, or as a verb meaning to collect and store food or resources.
Cultural References
- Squirrel Nutkin, a character from Beatrix Potter’s children’s storybook.
- Squirreling away, a common idiomatic phrase.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Squirrel away, to save or store something for later use.
- Squirreling away, to store or hide food or resources.
Related Words or Phrases
- Mouse
- Rat
- Household Pest
Collocations
- Squirrel in the tree
- Squirrel stealing food
Frequency of Use
Squirrel is a relatively common word in modern language, often used in gardening, wildlife, and household contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Squiril
- Squirrelle